The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has directed the Patiala District Magistrate to inquire into alleged suicide of a bonded labourer and threat to his family to become bonded laboures against unpaid debt.
Taking suo moto cognizance of media reports, the Commission issued a notice to the DM to submit a report within a month.

According to media reports, the bonded labourer who committed suicide had sold himself and his wife as bonded labourers against a loan of Rs 45,000 years ago to a landlord.
The media report further said, after his death, his wife and minor son had escaped from the farm, but last week the landlord traced asking to repay the debt with interest.

The news report also said, the poor widow has been ex-communicated from the village and faces the threat of eviction from her shed and also loosing her only belongings of utensils and a broken cot.